Colorado cannabis company makes c-suite shift

Since its founding in 2010, Organa Brands’ “maniacal focus on market expansion” has landed its marijuana edibles, vape cartridges, dab tools, distillates and beverages in 11 states and three countries.

The company announced Monday it will enter its next stage of evolution — transforming from a North American cannabis powerhouse to a global behemoth — under new leadership.

Organa Brands co-founder Ralph Morgan is stepping down from his role as chief executive officer and handing the reins over to president Chris Driessen.

Organa Brands’ Chris Driessen will step into the CEO role vacated by company co-founder Ralph Morgan. (Photo provided by Organa Brands)

The planned transition has been a couple of years in the making, the two leaders told The Cannabist.

“Ralph is truly leaving this place in a really great spot,” Driessen said.

The Denver-based company has five vaporizer, edibles and extraction brands under its umbrella: O.penVape, a maker of vape cartridges; Bakked, a provider of distillate and tools for dabbing; Magic Buzz, a maker of cannabis beverages; District Edibles, a maker of gummy edibles; and Organa Labs, which specializes in extraction and distillation services.

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To provide some perspective, Driessen said, a Forbes article last year that reported Organa Brands posted $ 100 million in revenue in 2016 was an “accurate depiction.” The company estimates that it now sells an edible, vape cartridge, dab tool, marijuana drink or distillate every five seconds.

Morgan will retain an ownership stake in Organa Brands and serve on the company’s board.

However, the entrepreneur said he plans to invest his time an energy in a completely new venture: a wellness company centered on CBD, or cannabidiol, derived from hemp. It’s a dream that has been on the back burner for several years now, because such an endeavor would be too grand of a gamble for Organa Brands, Morgan said.

“It’s irony at its finest,” he said, “a THC company saying we can’t take on the risk for selling hemp products. But that’s where we’re at.”

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